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VN develops pain assessment tool for cats
Tortie cat
Gillian and her team also assessed facial expressions as an indicator of acute pain in cats.
Tool based on psychometric methodology

A veterinary nurse has developed the world's first acute pain assessment tool for cats based on psychometric methodology.

The development follows the success of the behaviour-based Glasgow CMPS-SF for dogs, which is now generally accepted as a clinical standard for the measurement of acute pain in that species.

Senior practitioner nurse Gillian Calvo, along with her team of world renowned specialists in the field of pain management, spent many years developing and refining the clinically significant tool, known as the Composite Measure Pain Scale - Feline (CMPS-F).

The CMPS-F tool evaluates acute pain in six behavioural categories; vocalisation, activity/posture, attention to wound, response to people, response to touch, and demeanour. Each of the categories is given a score and a total score out of a possible 16 is derived. If a total score of four of higher is achieved, then users should consider intervention with analgesia.

Gillian and her team also assessed facial expressions as an indicator of acute pain in cats - the first study of its kind to demonstrate that facial features can be used to determine acute pain in cats.

The team are also determined to further develop the CMPS-F tool to include the incorporation of a facial expression component with the aim of improving sensitivity of the scale.

Gillian Calvo said: “I am absolutely delighted to have been part of the development of this ground-breaking CMPS-F tool which is available for veterinary professionals to use as an adjunct to their clinical judgement when assessing acute pain in cats. 

I feel immensely privileged to have had the opportunity to be the voice for so many felines and can’t wait to see the difference the CMPS-F tool will make to the lives of so many cats, vets and vet nurses worldwide”.

Gillian's paper “Development of a behaviour based measurement tool with defined intervention level for assessing acute pain in cats” is published in the Journal of Small Animal Practice.

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Reporting service for dead wild birds updated

News Story 1
 The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has updated its online reporting service for dead wild birds.

The new version allows those reporting a dead bird to drop a pin on a map when reporting the location. It also includes a wider range of wild bird species groups to select from when describing the bird.

The online service, which helps APHA to monitor the spread of diseases such as avian influenza, can be accessed here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NI chief vet urges bluetongue vigilance

Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer (CVO) has urged farmers to be vigilant for signs of bluetongue, after the Animal and Plant Health Agency warned there was a very high probability of further cases in Great Britain.

There have been 126 confirmed cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 in England since November 2023, with no cases reported in Northern Ireland. The movement of live ruminants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is currently suspended.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the virus is most likely to enter Northern Ireland through infected animals or germplasm (semen or ova) being imported.

Brian Dooher, Northern Ireland's CVO, said: "Surveillance for this disease within Northern Ireland has been increased to assist with detection at the earliest opportunity which will facilitate more effective control measures."

Farmers should report any suspicions of the disease to their private veterinary practitioner, the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or their local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.